ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Communications
Shri K. Rajaraman takes charge as Secretary, Department of Telecommunications
Shri K. Rajaraman has assumed the charge of Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, vice Shri Anshu Prakash, IAS  consequent upon his superannuation on 30th September, 2021. Prior to this, he was serving as Additional Secretary, Investments & Infrastructure, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
Shri K. Rajaraman is an Indian Administrative Services Officer of 1989 batch, from Tamil Nadu cadre. He has held many important positions in the Union Government which include Additional Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs, M/o Finance, Government of India and Joint Secretary in Department of Expenditure, M/o Finance, Government of India. He has also held several key positions in the Government of Tamil Nadu including Managing Director of Chennai Metro Railway Limited and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Government of Tamil Nadu etc.
RKJ/M
(Visitor Counter : 2431
Election Commission
Holding of Bye-elections due in various States
Commission meeting was held today regarding holding of bye-elections due in various states. Presently, there are 65 clear vacancies due for bye-elections in Assembly/Parliamentary Constituency, out of which there are 64 vacancies in the State Legislative Assemblies of various states and 1 vacancy for Parliamentary Constituency.
The Commission reviewed the reports and inputs from Chief Secretaries/ Chief Electoral Officers of many of the concerned states seeking deferment of the bye-elections in their states in view of several factors including the extra-ordinary heavy rains in some places and other constraints like pandemic etc.
Considering that General Assembly Elections of Bihar are also due and required to be completed before 29th November 2020, Commission has decided to conduct all the 65 bye-elections and the General Assembly Elections of Bihar around the same time. One of the major factors in clubbing them together is the relative ease of movement of CAPF/ other law and order forces, and related logistics issues.
Announcement of schedule of Bihar General Assembly Elections as well as these bye-elections will be done by the Commission at appropriate time.
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SBS/MR/AC
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Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Seminar on ‘Use of Technical Textiles in Water Resources Works’ held
Practice manual on Use of Technical Textile in Water Resources Works’ Released
One day Technical Seminar was organized by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on “Use of Technical Textiles in Water Resources Works” in New Delhi today.
Technical Textiles are being used globally for last several decades. These materials have provided innovative engineering solutions for several applications in civil and geotechnical engineering, for infrastructure water resources projects. Even while Technical Textiles have been extensively used in developed as well as many developing countries, India has yet to capitalise the technical, economical and environmental benefits on large scale. Various parts of India are subjected to floods and environmental degradation. In some of the terrains, the flood management and control can rely on Technical Textiles tubes, containers and bags. Technical Textiles have been found to perform better than concrete as water protection component because of permeability, flexibility and ease of underwater placement. The Seminar highlighted various application areas, best practices and mechanisms for encouraging larger usage of Technical Textile in Water Resources Sector and created a platform for all the concerned stakeholders for brain-storming and creating a roadmap to take the Technical Textiles uses to the next level.
The speakers from various fields discussed issues of Standards, Benchmarking & Testing, Technical-textiles for Water Resources Conservation, Advanced methods in use of Technical Textiles, Contractual Matters related to Technical Textiles etc. in detail.
The event was organized by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with participation from high level Officials from Central Departments, State Governments, Engineering Departments of States working in Water Resources, Institutions, Colleges, Universities, Manufacturers, Associations, Trade Associations, Consultants and Contractors.
The seminar was chaired by Shri Masood Hussain, Chairman, CWC. Smt. T. Rajeshwari, Addl. Secretary, MoWR, RD and GR, Shri N.K. Mathur, Member D&R, CWC, Shri S.L. Gupta, Director CSMRS and Shri Anuj Kanwal, Director, R&D Division, MoWR, RD and GR also attended the seminar. Chairman CWC released the “Practice Manual on use of Technical Textile in Water Resources Works”.
Ministry of Defence
Defence Secretary releases a book titled ‘FORCE IN STATECRAFT’ at NDC
Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar released a book titled ‘FORCE IN STATECRAFT’, an edited volume by Commandant of National Defence College  Air Marshal Diptendu Choudhury and President’s Chair of Excellence at NDC Air Vice Marshal  Arjun Subramaniam  in New Delhi on November 13, 2021.The book is a compilation of essays on topics viz. counter-insurgency operations, conflict in North East, air power, nuclear posture etc. which give conceptual understanding and facets of India's national security.
The contributors of the book are all stalwarts of the Armed Forces, who have vast operational experience and understanding of several important cornerstones of forces and its application. Since national security impacts every citizen, there has long been a need for a more sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the instrument of force in statecraft, which this book hopes to bridge.
In his address, the Defence Secretary praised the efforts of Commandant NDC Air Marshal Diptendu Choudhury and President’s Chair of Excellence at NDC Air Vice Marshal  Arjun Subramaniam  for obtaining the views of a galaxy of eminent authors and compiling them in the form of a book in a short period of time. He termed the launch of the book as a leadership act of NDC and called uponsimilar think-tanks and training institutes across the country to come out with such initiatives to provide an understanding on the fast-evolving nature of statecraft.
This academic endeavor, the first of its kind from NDC, gives a wider national security discourse which would generate better ideas to proliferate and morph into better policies, strategies and doctrines and how they can best be employed in current and future scenarios.It is a go-to book for policy makers, legislators, diplomats, academics, leadership at all levels in the various national security verticals.
The book has been endorsed by eminent personalities like former Governor of Jammu &Kashmir Shri NN Vohra;Director, Vivekananda International Foundation and former Deputy National Security Advisor Dr Arvind Gupta;Professor of International Relation, King’s College London & Director of Research, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi Dr Harsh V Pant and Prof Rajesh Rajagopalan, JNU.
ABB/Savvy/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 2017
Ministry of Steel
National Mineral Development Corporation  Records Best Ever Q1 Performance since inception
National Mineral Development Corporation  , a public enterprise under Ministry of Steel produced 8.91 million tonnes of iron and sold.
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Q1
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Q1
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Up by %
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Production 
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6.61
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8.91
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35%
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Sales 
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6.28
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9.45
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51%
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Turnover 
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1938
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6512
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236%
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Profit Before Tax 
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759
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4263
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462%
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Profit After Tax 
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533
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3193
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499%
9.45 million tonnes during Q1 FY22, achieving a growth of 35% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year and 51% in sales over the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
This excellent performance, achieved on the back of robust domestic demand and peaking of international iron ore prices, makes this the best Q1 for NMDC since the company’s inception.
At Rs 4,263 crore, Profit Before Tax  for the quarter registered a 462% growth against the Rs 759 crore achieved during Q1 of FY2021. Profit After Tax  at Rs 3,193 crore, saw a 499 % increase against the Rs 533 crore achieved during Q1 of 2021. Turnover during this quarter grew 236% from Rs. 1,938 crore in Q1 2021 to Rs.6,512 crore in Q1 FY 2022.
Commenting on this performance, Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC said that the Government’s determination to continue spending on infrastructure projects while we return to normalcy is extremely encouraging for NMDC.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Commercial activities come back to life in the region
Chandigarh, May 07, 2020
Commercial activities are coming back to life in the region in the light of recent relaxations provided by the Government of India. As some shops have started to reopen, shopkeepers in Haryana have welcomed the much needed relief. Kundan, a shopkeeper from the state said that reopening of shops owing to the relaxations in Lockdown has come as a relief not only to the customers but also to them. Umesh Sikri of Kaithal is happy that some of the shops are going to reopen, however he is slightly wary as well fearing that it might escalate the spread of the pandemic. He wished that people keep practicing social distancing.

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1258318169816494082?s=09 

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1258317488174936064?s=09 
As a part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package , the Government is also providing free food grains, gas cylinders and cash payment to poor senior citizens, women beneficiaries of Jan Dhan account and farmers. As per latest figures, as on 5th May, 2020 using the digital payment infrastructure, around 39 crore poor people have received financial assistance of Rs 34,800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package 
Women beneficiaries in the Haryana have confirmed to receive money in theirs Jan Dhan accounts and expressed satisfaction. Commending the Government for timely crediting money in her Jan Dhan account, Manju Devi of village Masih in the state said that she has received the second installment. Dinesh Devi from the same state said that Rs 500 has been credited in her account under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Asha Devi also confirmed receiving money in her account.

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1258310968838246401?s=09 

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1258312053116121088?s=09 

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1258315001892233216?s=09
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur launches 'Delhi Hockey Weekend League', says competitions boost athletes' morale
Key Highlight
- We want more states to organize such events so that Hockey can be promoted and young talent gets opportunities to sharpen their skills: Sports Minister
- 36 teams competing for the trophy and more teams can also participate in later stages
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur launched the ‘Delhi Hockey Weekend League 2021-22' which is taking place at the iconic Major Dhyanchand National Stadium today.
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said that Men's and Women's teams' success in Tokyo Olympics has given a new lease of life to Hockey as a sport in India. Speaking at the event Shri Thakur said that there is no dearth of talent in India and I congratulate Delhi Hockey for this initiative which will help induct more talent at the grassroots. We aim to nurture grassroots talent towards the global excellence. Training and competitions are equally important as they boost the morale of athletes. "We want more states to organize such events so that Hockey can be promoted and young talent gets opportunities to sharpen their skills", the minister added.
The Hockey League, which is being organised by the Sports Authority of India  in association with the Delhi Hockey Federation, will have a total of 36 teams competing for the trophy and more teams can also participate in later stages. The event starts today and over every weekend 4 matches will be played. First match of the league was played between Delhi University's Shyam Lal College and the Faith Club .
The launch ceremony was also attended by former Indian Hockey player Padmashree Zafar Iqbal, Hockey World Cup  Gold Medalist Brigadier HJS Chimni, and Former Indian Hockey goalkeeper and Arjuna Awardee Helen Mary Innocent as special Guest of Honour.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry  to facilitate expansion of food processing capacity by creating champion brands in Food Processing Sector
Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, in a written reply to a question Lok Sabha today informed that keeping in view the crucial role of entrepreneurs in development of food processing industries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries  supports them through its Central Sector Umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana , Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry  and Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises  scheme.
Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI provides mostly credit linked financial assistance  in the form of grants-in-aid with total outlay of Rs 4600 Cr for 15th Finance Commission Cycle. Ministry provides financial, technical and business support to micro food processing enterprises through PMFME scheme with outlay of Rs 10,000 Cr for a period of 5 Years , whereas PLISFPI is targeted to facilitate expansion of food processing capacity by creating champion brands in Food Processing Sector with total outlay of Rs 10,900 Cr for a period of 6 years .
In the written reply it was stated that Ministry has conducted evaluation study for relevant component schemes of PMKSY and amended guidelines of the schemes including its incentive structure accordingly.
Ministry has planned to organise a Global Food Event “World Food India 2023” during 3rd - 5th November, 2023 in New Delhi. The event is intended to provide domestic investors/ producers/ processors/ institutions a platform to collaborate and partner with global stakeholders.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Sweden on cooperation in Polar Science
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been apprised of the Agreement on cooperation in polar science between Ministry of Earth Sciences , India and Ministry of Education and Research, Sweden. The Memorandum of Understanding  was signed on 2nd December 2019 during the visit of Their Majesties of the Kingdom of Sweden to India.
India and Sweden are both signatories to the Antarctic Treaty and to the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection. Sweden as one of the eight "Arctic States" is one of the Member State in the Arctic Council whereas India has the Observer Status in the Arctic Council. Sweden has a vigorous scientific program in the Polar Regions, both in Arctic and Antarctic. India likewise, has sustained scientific research programs in both the Polar Regions as well as in the oceanic realm.
The collaboration between India and Sweden in polar science will enable sharing of the expertise available with both Countries.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
India Signs MoU with Trinidad and Tobago on sharing INDIA STACK
“It is vision of PM Narendra Modi to offer India Stack to countries across the globe especially those that have been left behind in their digitalisation efforts.”: MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar
“It shall create robust ecosystem of startups, developers & system integrators working around it on Next-Gen innovation”: MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar
India Stack Goes Global
India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding  on sharing of INDIA STACK — a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
Both sides agreed to cooperate in the areas of digital transformation by means of capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of pilot or demo solutions, etc.
This collaboration comes after Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator Mr Hassel Bacchus, last week.
During the meeting, they discussed mutual cooperation in the fields of IT, emerging technologies, and the India stack.
Highlighting the significance of the India Stack offerings, MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who believes in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam , has always encouraged the offering of India Stack to countries across the globe especially to those that have been left behind in their digitalisation efforts. With the help of India Stack, these countries can climb up the digitalisation ladder rapidly and transform their economies and governance.”
“It shall create a robust ecosystem of startups, developers & system integrators working around it on Next-Gen innovation”, added Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
The MoU was signed in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Electronics and IT, National E-Governance Division, MeitY and also from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Since June 2023, India has already signed MoUs with countries namely Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Antigua & Barbuda to share India Stack while many countries like Mauritius, Saudi Arabia have shown interest and are at an advanced stage of finalizing cooperation on IndiaStack. A similar MoU was signed with Papua New Guinea also last month, showcasing the growing interest and acceptance of the initiative on a global scale. The UPI which is also a part of India Stack, has been accepted in France, UAE, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
IEPFA seeks applications for internship programme for young students/scholars
The Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority, Ministry of Corporate Affairs , is seeking applications from young students/scholars for its short-term internship programme beginning February 19, 2023. The purpose of this programme is to allow young students/scholars to participate in awareness, research, and related activities of the Authority. By offering short-term placements to prospective interns, this programme intends to gain valuable support from young minds with fresh perspectives on the authority's mandates while mentoring them with the organisation's policies, programmes, and functions. Students from different Colleges/ Universities may like to apply. Students who successfully complete their internship will receive an Internship Certificate from the Authority.
Details of this programme including application form may be read from the link https://www.iepf.gov.in/.
The last date for submission of the application is 19.03.2023.
A selection process based on academic performance and a personal interview will be used for the Internships. A maximum of 10 interns will be selected in Phase-I, and the number may be extended in subsequent phases.
For further details, contact Sh. Sumit Aggarwal, IEPFA, Ground Floor, Jeevan Vihar Building, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001 or on phone- 011-23441733 
About IEPF Authority
EPF Authority has been established under sub-section  of section 125 of Companies Act, 2013 with the objective of promoting Investor Education, Awareness and Protection and for administration of the IEPF fund. It has undertaken a wide gamut of activities to accelerate the pace of investor education among the masses at large.
Ministry of Culture
Vice President of India to Award Diploma to more than 200 students at the Convocation of National School of Drama
Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu will attend the convocation ceremony of the National School of Drama  on 5th August, 2019, to be held at Abhimanch auditorium, National School of Drama, New Delhi at 5:00 pm. More than 200 students who completed their 3-year course at NSD between 2010 and 2019 will be awarded the diploma by Vice President of India at the convocation.
The Vice President of India will be the Chief Guest at the convocation while Minister of State for Culture & Tourism , Shri Prahlad Singh Patel will be the Guest of Honour. Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Arun Goel, Former Chairman of the National School of Drama Shri Chandrashekhara Kambara and eminent theatre personality and former director of National School of Drama, Shri Ratan Thiyam will also grace the occasion where Acting Chairman, NSD Society, Dr. Arjun Deo Charan and Director In-charge, National School of Drama, Shri Suresh Sharma will be present.
A total of 237 students will receive their diploma after completing the course of dramatic arts from the National School of Drama . NSD is foremost theatre training institutions in the world which has been recently ranked 14th among the best film schools in the world by CEOWORLD Magazine of the USA..
About National School of Drama 
Established in 1959, the National School of Drama is the only one of its kind in India and is an autonomous organization, fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. One of the foremost theatre training institution in the world, NSD was incepted under the aegis of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and became an independent entity in 1975. It offers a 3-year, full-time, residential training program in every aspect of theatre with a special focus on the practical implementation of theories. The enviable list of alumni and faculty members have ensured that the institution remains at the helm of performing arts – several theatre practitioners who passed from the prestigious institution, including playwrights, actors, directors, set and light designers and music directors, have enriched the Indian theatre and continue to do so. Apart from theatre, the artistic manifestations of NSD alumni have often left an indelible mark in other media as well. There are two performing wings of NSD – the Repertory Company and Theatre-in- Education Company  that started in 1964 and 1989, respectively. National School of Drama had been declared as deemed university by University Grant Commission in 2005. However, National School of Drama has requested the government to declare it as institute of national importance and therefore status of deemed university was not accepted.